Macquarie University Library Friends Foundation
The Macquarie University Library Friends Foundation provides a focus, both professional and social, for all those interested in the University Library and its future. It includes a wide range of individuals with a commitment to scholarly investigation, bibliographic interests - book-collectors, publishers, booksellers, scholars - as well as people who simply appreciate fine books.
Members meet throughout the year for a range of activities: hearing guest speakers on a variety of topics, viewing exhibitions and displays based on the Library's holdings, and visiting places of interest. Members receive a newsletter keeping them informed of Friends' activities and events in the Library. Membership is open to individuals and institutions. A special membership rate is offered for students of Macquarie University and life membership is also available.
If you would like to participate in these activities and join in lending support to the Library, please complete the form to become a member of Macquarie University Library Friends Foundation.
Newsletters 2008: April
Presentations: 2008
Annual General Meeting & Guest Speaker:
Peter Leunig, Executive Director, Office of Institutional Advancement, Macquarie University.
- Tuesday 1 April 2008
5.30 pm for 6 pm
Mollie Thomson Room
Macquarie University Library (Level 5)
All Welcome - Refreshments Served. No Charge.
Eoin H. Wilkinson Memorial Appeal
(.pdf document) [File size: 2.8 Mb]The Macquarie University Library Friends Foundation has launched a Memorial Appeal to mark the first anniversary of the death of Eoin Howitt Wilkinson on 15 April 2004. The appeal is being made to alumni and to past and present staff of the University and to Eoin's library colleagues.
Eoin was the University's second Librarian, serving from 1971 to 1987. He is particularly remembered for his innovative approach to developing library services and facilities, his professionalism, and his great humanity. Eoin also had an abiding passion for building the Library's collections, particularly in the areas of Australian cultural and natural history, Australian literature, and the study of comparative religion.
The Library Friends have launched the Memorial Appeal to honour Eoin and his achievements and have set a fund-raising target of $25,000 to continue to build the collections in Eoin's main areas of interest. Your support for the Appeal in memory of Eoin would be much appreciated.
Previous Presentations: 2004 - 2007
Application for Membership
Background
Macquarie University was established by the Macquarie University Act in 1964 and teaching began in 1967. The name "Macquarie" commemorates Major-General Lachlan Macquarie (1761 - 1824), Governor of the Colony of New South Wales from 1810 to 1821, whose concept of the future of the colony led to the first considerable developments in education, commerce, inland exploration and settlement, architecture and public buildings and patronage of the arts.
Macquarie University serves a large geographical area, and the Library, with a collection of over one million volumes, maps and audiovisual materials, and a brief to provide optimal access to information resources regardless of format or location, is by far the largest north of the Harbour.
The association of Governor Macquarie with the University which bears his name is commemorated in several ways:
- the acquisition by the University Library of books and pictorial works focussing on Macquarie's term of office in New South Wales (1810-21).
- the arms of Macquarie University are based on a drawing of the Macquarie Lighthouse tower at South Head, Sydney
- the Chancellor's Chair, used at every Macquarie University graduation ceremony from 1970-2006, was made by convict artisans for Governor Macquarie in c.1820-21
- The Lachlan Macquarie Room in the Library contains the original timber panelling from the parlour room of Macquarie's house on the Isle of Mull in Scotland.
- a permanent exhibition recording Macquarie's life and times, the history of his house, as well as a display of Macquarie-related memorabilia
- a replica of the colours of Macquarie's regiment, the 73rd Regiment of Foot.
The first Librarian of Macquarie University, Barry Scott, believed that the Library should become an important educational and cultural resource not only for the University but for the community at large. Nowhere is this more visible than in the fine display of Australian paintings in the Library, the most significant public collection in northern Sydney.
From the outset, Barry Scott (1965-70) and his successors as University Librarian, Eoin Wilkinson (1971-1987), Barrie Mitcheson (1988-1996), Neil McLean (1996-2001), Penny Carnaby (2002) and Maxine Brodie (2003-) have inspired others with their vision for the Library.
The Library was fortunate in the support which it received at an early stage from friends and benefactors. Over the years many donors have continued to support the Library actively and this assistance has been particularly important in building up the special collections in areas beyond the natural range of normal Library funding. Naturally, gifts have varied in size and scope, but all have been most welcome. The Joan McIlrath collection of items relating to the Australian Aboriginal, for example, and the Marjorie Keesing gifts were the first major donations to the Library. Small gifts, well considered, have filled gaps throughout the range of holdings. Most recently, the very significant Margaret Donaldson bequest has been of immense value to the Library. Major donors are recorded in the annual reports of the Library and of the University.
The Macquarie University Library Friends was formed in 1986. The response to the initial appeal was very pleasing and through the generosity of its foundation members in particular, a sound basis has been established for the Friends to provide ongoing support to the Library. Annual membership contributions and donations also finance additions to the Library's collections. These include items which could not be acquired from the Library's normal grants but which are important in a collection concerned to extend its cultural resources for the benefit of both the University and the community.